Agas-Agas Bridge | |
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Coordinates | 10°29′50″N 124°59′53″E / 10.4972523°N 124.9979911°E |
Carries | 2 lanes of AH 26 (N1), vehicular traffic and pedestrians |
Locale | Sogod, Southern Leyte |
Maintained by | Department of Public Works and Highways |
Characteristics | |
Design | beam bridge |
Material | Prestressed concrete |
Total length | 350 m (1,150 ft) |
Width | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) [1] |
Height | 89 m (292 ft) |
No. of lanes | Two-lane single carriageway |
Design life | 30 years [1] |
History | |
Construction start | November 17, 2006[2] |
Construction end | August 2, 2009[2] |
Construction cost | ₱1.024 billion |
Location | |
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The Agas-Agas Bridge is a prestressed concrete beam bridge on the Pan-Philippine Highway. The ₱1.024-billion bridge was funded partially by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. With a length of about 350 meters (1,150 ft) and a height of 89 meters (292 ft) above ground, [3] the center span of the structure measures 177 meters (581 ft) in length supported by two piers measuring 73 meters (240 ft) and 75 meters (246 ft) from the ground. [4]
The mountainous Agas-Agas section of the Pan-Philippine Highway in Southern Leyte is prone to landslides during heavy rains, much more when a typhoon strikes the province. The bridge was constructed in 2006 to avoid the troublesome section and cut down the driving time for motorists. [5]
Seeing its high tourism potential the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) submitted to President Gloria Arroyo the plan to turn the bridge into a haven for enthusiasts of bungee jumping, paramotor, downhill skateboarding, zip-line, rappelling and other extreme sports. On August 9, 2009, the president signed the construction of the bungee jumping platform along the bridge as well as other tourism amenities. [6]
The Agas-Agas Bridge zipline, now known as "Zipline Leyte", opened in April 2011. [3] The twin zipline, one of the longest in the country at 880 meters (2,890 ft), glides diagonally above the bridge and the riverine below it. [7] A Provincial Pavilion complete with a parking lot and food and souvenir kiosks has been constructed atop a promontory overlooking the deep ravine of the nearby gorge. [8] The Agas Agas Bridge also has a spacious parking space, food kiosks and a tourist pavilion. [9]